My Story
The press has hailed her as “…a star of tomorrow, today.” They’ve said, “…when she sings, all she has to do is open her mouth and the notes spill out sweetly and effortlessly.” Regis Philbin called her “…a beautiful operatic singer. Boy oh boy, is she great! She’s really amazing!”
Melissa Zapin started as a self-taught soprano with little more than a big voice and an even bigger dream. Raised by a single mother in Oregon, then Hawaii, Melissa’s sheer determination and love of music kept her focused on her ultimate goal: to sing on the greatest stages in the world.
Determined to back up her talent with education, but with more drive than money, Melissa entered a pageant on a whim in order to finance her college education. An unforgettable aria won her the title of Miss Hawaii and a trip to the famed Miss America stage, where she secured a talent and swimsuit win, a top 10 finish and a tuition paid in full. Fast forward to a regular gig with the Hawaii Opera Theatre, a first place win in the NSAL Opera Competition and accolades for her award-winning performances in the lead role of Christine in Yeston’s Phantom and the title role in Rogers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella.
Next stop: the Big Apple
After arriving in New York City with seven boxes and her childhood dog, Melissa’s talent was instantly recognized and she was taken under the wing of some of the industry’s most respected voice teachers. Her voice and presence captured the attention of opera-lover Donald Trump, and she was invited to the famous Mar-A-Lago resort to perform a private operatic concert for his high profile guests. Since then, her extraordinary gifts, showcase in concerts on international stages, have won her honors around the globe. In the last two years alone, Melissa has been hand-picked by famed tenor Marcello Giordani to accompany him as a solo soprano; sung throughout Europe and the US in roles as legendary and demanding as The Countess in Mozart’s Figaro, Desdemona in Verdi’s Otello, and Micaela in Bizet’s Carmen; and in the realization of one of her greatest dreams, made her solo Carnegie Hall debut in Mozart’s Vesperae Solennes de Consessore.
In addition to a blooming opera career, Zapin has enjoyed an active and diverse career as an in-demand voiceover artist and actress, appearing in and originating roles Off-Broadway and on television in hit shows such as Sex in the City.